Public hearing set on I-27 frontage road project

Published 11:29 am, Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Texas Department of Transportation is ready to talk about I-27 frontage roads again.

Almost two years after the last public hearing on the project, TxDOT has scheduled a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23 in the gym at La Mesa Elementary School, 600 S. Ennis. An open house will be held at 5 p.m. prior to the formal presentation.

During the hearing, TxDOT personnel will present plans for converting the I-27 frontage roads from two-way to one-way, adding turnarounds and reconfiguring ramps along the stretch of the interstate from Southwest Third Street to the Dimmitt Highway.

The public is invited to voice their opinions.

A similar meeting at the school in April 2010 attracted close to 50 citizens, most of whom had at least some apprehension while others voiced serious concerns about TxDOT's $13 million proposal. Many concerns were voiced by business owners - mostly of fast-food restaurants - over making the east access road northbound only and the west access road southbound only.

TxDOT presented a three-phase proposal.

Phase I, which was completed in late 2009, included adding pavement markings, flashing yield signs and rumble strips to alert motorists of approaching interstate ramps.

The second phase included converting the frontage roads to one-way and adding three turnarounds - south and north of Olton Road and south of the Dimmitt Highway - to allow traffic to pass under overpasses without stopping. It also included adding an exit ramp north of Wal-Mart Supercenter and adding entrance ramps north of Southwest Third plus reversing the entrance ramp south of Olton Road, mostly in an effort to alleviate traffic congestion in front of the fast-food restaurants.

Phase II, projected to cost $5 million, also could include adding roundabouts at the bottom of both ends of the Southwest Third overpass.

The third phase, with an estimated cost of $8 million, would see the demolition of the Southwest Third overpass in favor of a bridge that carries interstate traffic over Southwest Third, like the overpasses at Highways 70 and 194.

TxDOT officials also said reversing the southbound exit ramp in front of the fast-food restaurants, again in an effort to help traffic congestion, is a possibility.

TxDOT district engineer Doug Eichorst said at the 2010 meeting that state officials planned to meet with business owners and concerned citizens in small groups. He said at the time that, due to funding and additional traffic and environmental studies, most changes were likely 3-5 years away.

The proposals came in response to a rash of accidents, including a reported five fatalities, along that stretch of I-27 in the three years leading up to the 2010 meeting.

Anyone with questions or special accommodation needs for the Jan. 23 meeting may call Heath Bozeman, TxDOT design engineer, at 293-5484.